I write this as I sit, sipping my coffee in between my training sessions and before work. So yeah. Life is pretty damn good.

If you asked me 10 years ago what I would be doing at 30, in my idealistic (and unrealistic) view of the world, I would have said this:

• I would be in Antarctica celebrating my birthday. Because why not.
• I would have a big house, a new shiny car and a bigger mortgage.
• I would have my masters or a Phd.
• I would probably have a husband and maybe thinking about kids.
• I would have run a marathon by now.
• I would maybe consider participating in or even competing in another sport besides gymnastics or cycling…just to add to my ‘Jack of all trades, Master on none’ motto.
• I would look and act like an adult.

So far, none of these things have happened. I have failed at my apparent life goals (apart from the maybe trying another sport part). BUT I am loving life more than ever and couldn’t be happier.

It helps that I physically feel like I’m 20. Apart from my fingers, which feel like they are 80. I often show my patients my fingers if they complain about theirs. Truly disgusting. I also cannot handle more than 2 drinks anymore… is that a sign of ageing? But then again, I still get acne, so that brings me back to feeling like I’m just past my teenage years.

Anyhoo. What I wanted to say is that life will often take you to unexpected places. Sometimes things and events that happen are out of anyone’s control, but I consciously choose every choice that I do have. I may not own a house (yet), but I have incredible and life-changing memories from travelling, taking up jiu jitsu and studying. I am in love with every part of my life and it’s because I created each little bit of it.

Exciting things are happening now, such us Lachie opening up a school in the near future, me starting up my own business, and at the moment I am seriously considering doing my Masters by research or a Phd in physiotherapy next year. It so happens that I have a boyfriend who is an over-achiever (but would never admit to it), and who inspires me to never get stale and to always improve… in jiu jitsu and all parts of life. So I think with the amazing support that I already have and a healthy dose of self-belief, I can do all that whilst maintaining my highest level of training and to continue being competitive at a World stage.

I got to celebrate my 30th surrounded by my family and friends. If this is what being 30 is meant to be like, then I say, HELL YES to it all. What a wonderful place to be in.

Enjoy some photos from the last week. Warning. I am out of a gi. I washed my hair. I put my face on. I even did my nails. I even drank somme bubbly.